Apparatus for cleaning animal intestines



DCC- l13, 1955 M. w. sTRlcKLER APPARATUS FOR CLEANING ANIMAL INTESTINES2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed July 3, 1952 INVENTOR.

4770/47/Vfk/ /W/L 70N W. 5MP/CMH? WMM Dec. 13, 1955 M. w. sTRlcKLER2,726,421

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING ANIMAL INTESTINES IN V EN TOR. /m 70N W 5mm/afpUnited States Patent Oil 2,726,421 Patented Dee. 13, 1955 ice APPARATUSFOR CLEANING ANIMAL INTESTNES Milton W. Strickler, Des Moines, iowaOriginal application July 3, 1952, Serial No. 297,103, now Patent No.2,701,386, dated February 8, 1955. Divided and tlns application August13, 41954, Serial No. 449,555

9 claims. (ci. 17-43) This invention relates generally to meat cleaningmachines and in particular to apparatus for cleaning animal intestinesor casings, commonly referred to as chitterlings. This application is adivision of my prior co-pending application Serial No. 297,103, tiledJuly 3, 1952, now Patent No. 2,701,386, issued February 8, 1955.

The cleaning of chitterlings in packing houses, so far as is known, issubstantially an all manual procedure, both as to the slitting of theintestine for the removal of oial, and the removal from the slitintestine of all adhering offal particles. Although chitterlings are notextensively sold, and are primarily a by-product in the packing plants,the cost of labor for preparing and cleaning the same for use is ratherprohibitive because of the inconvenience and discomfort to the worker,namely, the work is undesirable, and labor for such purpose is at apremium. Also considerable difficulty is encountered in the thoroughcleaning of the chitterling or intestine.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improvedapparatus for cleaning animal intestines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for cleaningchitterlings which requires a minimum lof manual attention andcompletely eliminates the discomfort and distastefulness now generallyencountered in a chitterling cleaning operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for cleaninganimal intestines wherein an intestine is slit and then cleaned byhaving it move in succession against a cutter unit and then betweenoppositely directed jets of a washing fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide an intestine cleaningmachine in which the intestine,in a filled condition, is initiallymanually fed to the machine, and is then slit and the offal removed andwashed therefrom, prior to again being manually handled.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a chitterlingcleaning machine in which the intestine, on being slit longitudinallythereof, is movably supported in a spread position and carried throughoppositely directed jets of water, concurrently with being ilexed, so asto be washed clean of all offal particles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a chitterling cleaningmachine in which the filled intestine is slipped over an end of a fluidcarrying pipe provided with a flushing nozzle. An upwardly extendedcutter protecting member engages and creases the lower side of theintestine ahead ot' a cutting unit to move foreign objects in the otfal,such as stone and metal pieces, to opposite sides of the crease and outof the cutting zone of the cutter unit, whereby to appreciably extendthe service life of the cutter unit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for cleaninganimal intestines which is of a simple.

and rugged-construction, economical in cost, capable of` beingmaintained in continuous operation, and eicient in operation to cleanintestines that will pass government inspection.

H Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the intestine cleaning machine of thisinvention, with certain parts broken away for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the machine showing thepower transmission system therefor;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the iluid or hydraulic system usedin the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged ioreshortened fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the line 5-5 inFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view as seen on the line 6 6in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the line7--7 in Fig. 1.

With reference to the drawing the intestine or chitterling cleaningmachine of this invention is shown in Fig. 1 as including a main framestructure designated generally as 15, an intestine supporting andwashing unit 16 extended longitudinally of the frame 15, an endlessconveyor 17 for moving or feeding an intestine on the supporting unit16, uid discharge or spray members 1S for washing the top surface of anintestine as it is moved along the unit 16, and a cutter unit 19 forlongitudinally slitting the intestine prior to the action thereon by thespray members 18 in the washing unit 16.

The frame 15 is comprised of a pair of longitudinally spaced transverseend structures 21 and 22 connected across their upper ends by a topcover section 23 and intermediate their ends by brace members 24. Forthe convenience of description the end structure 21 will be referred toas the front end structure of the machine. Arranged below the supportingunit 16 is a sump or drain tank 26 having an outlet 27. The frame 15,between the tank 26 and the top cover section 23, is provided at itsfront end with a cover plate 28 and at the sides thereof with coverplates 29 to direct water, as will later appear, into the tank 26.

The supporting unit 16 (Figs. l and 4) is comprised of a pipe or uidcarrying member 31 extended longitudinally of the frame 15 between theend structures 21 and 22, and is integrally formed with a reduced frontsection 32 which projects forwardly from the front end structure 21through an opening 33 in the cover plate 28. This front section 32terminates in a nozzle unit 34.

The pipe 31, between the end structures 21 and 22, has its bottom sidesecured (Figs. 6 and 7), to the apex 36 of an angle iron support 37,extended longitudinally of the frame 15 and arranged so that the V shapeof the transverse cross section is inverted. The rear end 35 of theangle iron support 37 is carried on an upright support 38 (Fig. 4)secured to a transverse cross member 40 which forms part of the rearframe structure 22. The front end 45 of the angle iron support 37 issecured to an upright member 50 suitably carried on the front framestructure 21.

Spaced longitudinally on the pipe member 31, between the end framestructures 21 and 22, are a plurality of combination support andspreader members 39 which extend laterally in opposite directions fromthe pipe 31. As shown in Fig. 7 the members 39 are arranged in uprightpositions and have their top surfaces 41 of an arcuate or curved shape,inclined generally downwardly from a position below the level of the topside 42 of the pipe 31. In other words, the top side 42 of the pipe'31forms what might be termed a high spot between a pair of corre` spondingoppositely arranged combination members 39. Each member 39 is formed ofa flat metal material with its lower side secured to the angle ironsupport 37 and its inner side 43 extended upwardly for attachment to aside wall of the pipe 31.

Extended longitudinally of the frame 15 at positions above and toopposite sides of the pipe 31 are a pair of supporting rods or wires 44.These wires are arranged in vertical planes corresponding substantiallyto the planes of the inner sides 43 of the combination members 39, andhave their front ends 55 fastened to opposite sides of the pipe 31 (Fig.4). From their front ends S5 the wires 44 are progressively raised andspread apart to positions above and at opposite sides of the pipe 31, bytheir support on a pair of oppositely arranged upright legs or pins 60secured to opposite sides of the pipe 31. The wires 44 then extendrearwardly in a spaced parallel relation over the supports 70, securedto the upright plate 38, for attachment of the rear ends 46 to tensionadjusting screws 47 which are threadably supported on the cross member40 of the rear end frame 22. The wires are thus maintained in asuspended position over substantially the full length of the pipebetween the end structures 21 and 22.

The pipe 31 (Figs. 1 and 7) over substantially the length thereofbetween the end frame structures 21 and 22 is formed with a plurality ofdischarge orifices S3 arranged in serpentine rows longitudinally of thepipe so as to direct liuid from the pipe in directions generallyupwardly and laterally therefrom. In order to maintain a full anduniform flow of fiuid from the discharge orifices 53, the pipe 31 has apair of spaced inlet connections 54 and 56 arranged between the frontend frame structure 21 and the rear frame structure 22.

At substantially the junction of the pipe 31 with its reduced frontextension 32, and as best appears in Figs. 3 and 4, there is arrangedwithin the pipe 31 a transverse partition plate 57, so that all thefiuid supplied by the inlets 54 and 56 is discharged from the orifices53, namely, fromvthe pipe 31 over its length located rearwardly of thepartition plate 57.

A third fluid inlet S (Figs. 3 and 4) for the pipe 31 is locatedforwardly of the partition plate 57 which is inclined upwardly andforwardly from the bottom side of the pipe 31 so as to extend acrossthe` inlet opening 59 of the inlet connection 58. Fluid from the inletSS travels forwardly in the reduced pipe extension 32 into the nozzleunit 34 which includes a head member 61 formed witha rearwardly extendedperipheral rim of ange 62 arranged in a spaced relation about therestricted front end portion 63 of the pipe extension 32. The endportion 63 is formed with a plurality of discharge openings 64, so thatwater from the orifices 64 is directed by the peripheral ange 62 in areversed or rearward fiow about the outside t of the pipe extension 32.It can thus been seen that the nozzle 34 constitutes an outlet for thepipe 31. Arranged below the nozzle unit 34 (Fig. l) is an intestine orchitterling receiving tray 66 which is carried at the front end ofatrough member 67, the rear end of which is secured y to the frame endstructure 21 and open to the tank 26. Any material or water in the tray66 passes into the trough 67 through a cutaway portion 63 formed in therear side of the tray 66.

Suitably supported forrotation in the end frame structures 21 and 22 area pair of transverse shafts 71 and 72V which carry sprockets 73 and 74,respectively. Trained about the sprockets 73 and 74 for movementlongitudinally of the frame is an endless sprocket chain 76 of a rolleror link type. Extended outwardly from the chain 76 are oppositelyarranged pairs of fingers 77 which terminate in pointed ends 79. Asshown in Fig. 5 the fingers 77 are integrally formed as a part of theconnecting pins 81 for the links 82 connecting the rollers 83 of thechain 76 and have their pointed ends 79 terminating adjacent the' topsurface of the pipe 31, when the chain 76 is traveling thereover. Tomaintain the travel of the lower flight-of the chain.76 in a straightline adjacent to the pipey 31, namely, travel without slack orlateralmovement, a track member 85 comprising an elongated bar, ispositioned above the lower flight of the chain, and between thesprockets 73 and 74, for riding engagement on the rollers 83 at aposition between oppositely arranged roller links 82. The track member85 is supported from the top frame section 23 by brace or connectingmembers 87. (Fig. l). The front transverse shaft 71 is supported foryieldable up and downmovement for a purpose to later appear.

Arranged below the front transverse shaft 71, and carried on the frontframe structure 21, is a transverse shaft 1 which carries the cuttingunit 19. The unit 19 consists of a rotary blade which is arranged in asubstantially common vertical plane with the sprocket 73,' and whichplane also includes the longitudinal axis of the pipe member 31 (Fig.5). The top edge 93 of the rotary knife or cutting unit 19 is locatedadjacent to the underside of the pipe 31 and is received in a straddlingrelation between a pair of downwardly extended stationary knives 94which are suitably secured to the underside of the pipe 31, with theleading or front edges 95 of the stationary knives 94 being inclineddownwardly and rearwardly from the pipe 31 as best appears in Fig. 4.

Extended through the opening 33 in the front cover plate 28 is whatmight be termed a guide member 101 which is of a curved shape extendingdownwardly and forwardly from a position below the stationary cuttingblades 94 into the rear end of the trough 67 (Figs 1 and 4). The rearend 102 of the guide member 101 is secured to a guard member 103suitably attached to the front end structure 21 and located rearwardlyof the guide member 101 and the rotary cutting unit 19 passes throughthe joined rearends of the guide member 101 and guard member 103 so thatonly the top portion of the rotary knife 19 is exposed.

Projected upwardly from the guide member 101 at a position forwardly of,and in the plane of the rotary cutting knife 19, is a knife protectormember 104. The upper surface of the protector member 104 is of a curvedconvex shape, and s spaced downwardly from the bottom side of the pipe31.

In use, the machine is adapted to clean intestines of varying sizes andin one embodiment of the invention the pipe 31 has a diameter of aboutone and one half inches, and will effectively carry intestines havingdiameters, when filled, of from four to six inches, namely, thelargecolon or intestine of a hog. The intestine to be cleaned is carriedon the trough 66 and one end thereof is initially inserted or positionedover the nozzle unit 34. The intestine, shown at 106 in Fig. 4 is thussupported or hung at its top side from the reduced pipe section 32, soas to hang` downwardly therefrom. The water discharged from the nozzle34 immediately effects a flushing action on the offal within theintestine 106 so that offal is removed from the intestine for droppinginto the trough 67 concurrently with the moving of the intestine:`

on the pipe section 32 in a direction toward the front frame structure21. In this connection, it is `to be noted that the rearward flow ofthewater discharged from the.

nozzle 34 acts to move the intestine along the pipe concurrently withremoving Vor washing offal therefrom. The

iiushing action `of the nozzle 34 is also complemented by what might betermed` a loosening of ofal within theintestine.` In other words,appreciable offal remains in the intestine as it approaches the rotarycutting unit 19.

In this approach, the bottom side of the intestine 106 is initiallyengaged by the protector member 104 which functions to form a crease ordepression in the bottom side of the intestine in longitudinal alignmentwith the cutting knife19. By thus raising the bottom side of theintestine 106, atcthe longitudinal center thereof, the portionszofftheintestine to opposite sides ofthe member 104 formseparate holding sacks;Any'solid or abrasivematerials inV theintestine, such asl rocks, piecesofjmetal` and the like, thus tend to drop into such oppositely formedsacks away from the bottom of the crease or depression formed by theprotector member 104. As a result, this'foreign abrasivematerial-'within the intestine 106 is moved out of the pathor cuttingzone of the knife 19 so as to appreciably increase the service life ofthe knife.

On being engaged by the knife 19, the intestine is concurrently engagedby the stationary knives 94 so that the bottom side of the intestine isslit longitudinally of the'intestine by the cooperative action of therotary knife 19 with the stationary knives 94. 'Ihese stationary knives94 also perform the function of keeping the rotary knife 19 free frombeing clogged or wadded. Thus many of the intestines to be cleanedinclude partially digested materials such as hay, grass and grain,which, on being partially cut by the knife 19, tend to cling to theknife and thus impair its clean cutting function.

As the intestine 106 moves against the rotating knife 19 it iscontinuously slit longitudinally thereof along its bottom side. On beingcut or slit, the contents remaining within the intestine drop downwardlyout of the intestine and into the trough 67 and the tank 26.Concurrently with being engaged by the cutter 19, the top side of theintestine 106 passes between the top side of the pipe 31 and the feedingchain 76, at the front sprocket 73, for engagement by the pickup ngers77. On being engaged by the pickup fingers 77 the intestine isautomatically fed through the machine. In this feeding action the openedintestine, as best appears in Fig. 5, is initially progressively raisedon the supporting wires or rods 44 to a first spread position,terminating in what might be termed a full spread position when theintestine is supported over the combination members 39. Thus, as shownin Fig. 7, the wires 44 are at positions above the top surfaces 41 ofthe combination members 39 to permit the intestine being hung orsupported over the combination members 39 when it reaches the wiresupport 60. Further, it will be noted that the intestine 106, betweenthe supporting wires 44 is depressed or held adjacent the top side ofthe pipe 31 by the pickup fingers 77, and then from each wire 44 extendsdownwardly over the support members 39.

As the leading end of the intestine 106 passes over the first pair ofcombination members, indicated as 39a in Fig. 4, the under or lowersurface of the intestine 106 is concurrently acted upon by jets of iiuiddischarged from the orifices 53 in the pipe 31, and from a pair ofoppositely arranged sprays 107 arranged below the pipe 31 and directedupwardly toward each other. These sprays act to initially ush or knockoff the greater part of the oifal remaining on the intestine after theemptying of the same at the rotary knife 19. As the intestine passes outof the zone of action of the sprays 107 the under surface thereof iscontinuously acted upon and cleaned by the upwardly and laterallydirected jets of uid dischargedl from the orifices 53.

In this connection, it is to be noted that the members 39 function notonly to support the intestine in its spread out position, but are alsoin scraping engagement with portions of the intestine to opposite sidesof the pipe 31. As a result of this scraping engagement the intestine106 tends tobe successively engaged and then released by the members 39to produce a flexing or bending action in the intestine concurrentlywith its movement longitudinally of the pipe 31. This flexing actiontends to break away small particles of otfal from the under surface ofthe intestine, concurrently with changing the angle of the surfaceportions that are acted upon by the jets from the orifices 53, tofurther produce a scaling of adhering particles from the intestine.

Simultaneously with the washing action on the lower surface of theintestine 106 by the jets discharged from the pipe 31, the top surfaceof the intestine 106 is subjected to the washing and cleaning action ofjets directed downwardly from the pipes 18 through discharge openings111 formed therein. The openings 111 direct'jets from the pipes 18downwardly and inwardly so as to initially.contact the top surface ofthe intestine 106 at positions to oppositey sides of the feeder chain76. Water from the pipes 18 thus washes over the complete top surface ofthe intestine.

In order to maintain the intestine 106 in a spread or open position, asit passes along the pipe 31, the `fluid pressures within the pipes 18and 31 are suitably controlled to prevent the intestine 106 from beingfolded back against itself by a too strong action of the'upwardlydirected jets. Thus, the pressure of the jets may be adjusted to give athorough cleaning and washing action, concur rently with a counterbalancing action between the upwardly and downwardly directed jets, tomaintain the intestine in an open position.

As the intestine passes olf of the rear end 112 ofthe supporting unit 16the top surfacethereof is subjected to the action of a downwardlydirected spray 113 (Fig. 4) of suiiicient pressure and velocity todisengage the intestine from the pickup fingers 77. Along with effectingthe release of the intestine from the fingers 77, the spray 113servesfurther to give a iinal washing or cleansing action to the topsurface Vof the intestine. From the supporting unit 16 the cleanedintestine drops into a receiving tray 114 extended rearwardly from therear frame structure 22. e

As shown in Fig. 3 water is supplied to the machine of this inventionfrom a suitable source of water under pressure into a header 1,18carried on the top frame section 23 adjacent the rear frame structure22. The water to the pipes -18 is supplied from a common feed line 119,connected to the header 118 and provided with a control valve 121. Theinlets 54, 56 and S8 to the pipe 31 have separate feeder, lines 122,Vv123 and 124, respectively, connected with the header 118, and havingcorresponding valves 126, 127 and 128, also, respectively. The sprays107 have a common feeder line 129 equipped with a control valve 131 andconnected to the header 118. The release jet 113 is connectedto theheader 118 through a feeder line 132 which is provided with a controlvalve 133. It is seen, therefore, that the pressure and velocity of thejets from the pipes 18 are controlled independently of the jets from thepipe 31, and that the water admitted to the two inlets 54 and 56 for thepipe 31, is independently controlled so as to provide for an accurateadjustment of the jet pressures.

As shown in Figs. l and 2 the machine is equipped with an electric motorand gear reduction unit 136 mounted on the top cover section 23. Mountedon the drive shaft of the unit 136 is a small pulley 137 and a largepulley 138. The pulley 137 is belt connected with a pulley 139 mountedon the transverse shaft 72 for driving the feeder chain 76. The largepulley 138 is connected with a smaller pulley 141 mounted on a countershaft 142 rotatably supported on the top section 23. A second largerpulley.

143 on the counter shaft 142 is belt connected with a pulley 144 mountedon the shaft 91 for driving the rotary cutting knife 19.

I It is seen, therefore, that the machine of this invention is of aneconomical construction, and capable of being readily moved to anydesired location within a cleaning room, since it requires onlyconnections with a source of electrical power for the unit 136, and witha source of water supply tothe header 118 to be completely operative.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes and modifications can be made therein which arewithin the full intended scope of this invention as defined hy theappended claims.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for cleaning animal intestines comprising a uid carryingelongated horizontal member having upwardly directed discharge openingstherein, a feed member movable longitudinally of said fluid carryingmember, a plurality of intestine engaging fingers members carried bysaid feed member, whereby an openedanimalintestine positioned onsaid"tluid carryingfmember is engaged by said'nger members andmovedlongitudinally along. said uid carrying member, and a second fluidcarrying member positioned'above said`first nid'carrying member andhaving discharge openings formed therein directed downwardly. towardsaid first4 ilidl carrying member, whereby the opposite surfaces of saidintestine are cleaned by the fluid discharged from saiduid carryingmem-A bers during the movement of said intestine by said feed member.

2. Apparatus for cleaning animal' intestines comprising a fluid carryingmember, means carried by said member andextended longitudinally thereof.for supporting an opened intestine in a spread'position.adjacentsaidmember.means positionedabove said fluid carrying member andengageablewith an opened intestine on said supportingmeans for movingthe opened intestine on said supporting means longitudinally of saidHuid carrying member, means operatively associated with said Huidcarrying memberfor directing uid`from the fluidcarrying member againstone side of said opened intestine, and means arranged above saidsupporting means for directing fluid against the other side of saidintestine.

3. Apparatus for cleaning animal intestines comprising a horizontal pipehaving a plurality of upwardly directed discharge openings therein,means for supplying uid under pressure to the interior of said pipe,aconveyor mounted above and adjacent tothe top. side of' said pipe andmovable longtudinallyof the pipe, a plurality of downwardly extendedlingers on said conveyor for engaging an intestine supported on saidpipe whereby movement of said conveyor moves said intestine along saidpipe so that the bottom-side of said intestine is in a position to becleaned' by the uid issuing from said discharge openings, and meansarranged above said pipe for directing jets of fluid against the topsurface of. said intestine concurrently with the discharge of tluid fromsaid discharge openings.

4. Apparatus for cleaning animal intestines .comprising a firsthorizontal tubular member having. a top surface formed. with upwardlydirected' discharge. openings, spreader members attached to the sidesof. said` tubular member at longitudinally spaced positions, each ofsaid spreader members consisting of an upright plate having the topsurface `thereof adjacent the top surface of said tubular member andextended laterally and downwardly therefrom, a second tubular memberpositionedabove said rst'tubular member andihaving discharge openingsformed therein` directed downwardly toward said rst tubular member, andmeans operatively associated with said tubular members for supplyingfluid under pressure thereto, whereby an opened animal intestine movedalong the top surface of said rst tubular member and spread out on saidspreader members has the opposite sides thereof washed by the fluiddischarged from said tubular members.,

5.l Apparatus for cleaning animal intestines comprising a' substantiallyhorizontal pipe having a bottom side, an inlet' and an outlet, a sourceof fluid supply connected tothe inlet for said pipe, means on the outletfor said pipe for directing nid from said outlet toward.

the inletfor said pipe, anupright cutting unit mounted adjacent thebottom side of said pipe and extended longitudinally thereofintermediatethe inlet. and.outlet for the. pipe, ,anuprightmember positioned in theplane of said cutting zunit tothe side thereof -adjacentthe outlet,

with the top of said upright member being positioned slightly below thetopof said cuttingunit, whereby` an intestine positioned about and`moved, along: said` pipe` from the outlet toward the inlet has the`lower side thereof longitudinally creased by. said upright member' forlcutting on.said crease by saidcuttingunit.

V6. In a machine for cleaning animal intestines, al

longitudinally extendedframe structure, auidcarrying,

member having iluid discharge openings formed in the peripheralsurfacethereof attached to and extendedlongitudinallyof said frame structure,intestine feeding;

means carried by saidframe structure, finger members. secured to saidfeeding means and extendedinto close proximity with said iluid carryingmember,. a second tluid carrying member positioned above said first uid:

carrying member and having downwardly directedtdischarge openings formedtherein for directing` jetsrof tluid toward said first uid carryingmember, andmeans` operatively associated with said iluid carryingmembers for supplying tluid under pressure thereto.

7. A machine for cleaning'animal intestines comprising` a framestructure, intestine supporting means carried-by' and` extendedlongitudinally of said frame structure,. a

said supportingy means by said moving means,

8. Apparatus `for cleaning animal intestines comprising alongitudinally` extended intestine supporting member,l

arrupright movable cutting unit positioned belowfsaid supporting memberand extended longitudinally thereof for slitting an intestine supportedon` said supportinga member, and an upright stationary knife membercarried by said` supporting member and extended downwardly therefrorntoa position adjacent said cutting unit for cooperation therewith inslitting an intestine.v

9. For use in an animal intestine cleaning machine which includes aframestructure, a longitudinally; extendedintestine supporting member onsaid frame-struc ture, means carried by the frame structure for movingan` intestine alongl said supporting member and fluid.:

discharge means mounted on the frame structure for directing fluidagainst an intestine on said supportingc member; an upright rotarycuttingknife positioned be` low said supporting member and extendedlongitudinallyf thereofi for slitting an intestine supported thereon,`and a pair of upright stationary knife members carried byf saidsupporting member and extended downwardlyiherefrom to positions adjacenttransversely opposite sides` ofV said knife for cooperation therewithin` .slitting` an' intestine.`

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS550,986 Lowry Dec; 10, 1895" 1,479,104 Lytle Jan. l, 1924' 2,641,020:Clemens et al. June 9', 1953`

